Gas range with electric budget cooker



Nov. 1'1, 1941. R. T. FRAzlER GAS RANGE WITH ELECTRIC BUDGET COOKER Filed Sept. lO, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet l Nov. 11, 1941. R. T. FRAZIER GAS RANGE WITH ELECTRIC BUDGET COOKER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Sept. l0, 1941 Patented Nov. ll, 1941 GAS RANGE WITH ELECTRIC BUDGET C'OOKER Robert T. Frazier, Chattanooga, Tenn., assignor to Cavalier Corporation, Chattanooga, Tenn., a corporation of Tennessee Application September 10, 1941, Serial No. 410,325

4 Claims.

This invention relates to ranges, stoves or the like, and the principal object of the invention is to provide a combination gas range and electric budget cooker, said combination also being provided with convenience electric outlets and said combination affording a customer a gas range equipped with the most economical form of cooking with electricity, i. e., an electric deep-well cooker, arranged as a unit wherein the top of the range and the back-splash plate of the range are made in one piece, the top being punched with a large rectangular hole at one side to accommodate the usual gas range burners, and being punched with a large round hole at the other side to accommodate the electric deep-well cooker unit, which latter is detachably inserted down through the round hole provided therefor. The electric switch controlling the deep-well cooker is mounted on the front panel of the range, on which the gas cocks and oven control are likewise mounted.

The present application is a continuation-inpart of my copending application Serial No. 310,967, led December 26, 1939.

I will explain the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings which illustrate one practical embodiment thereof to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims, the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the upper portion of a range according to my invention, showing all the control devices and convenience outlets projecting through the front panel of the range.

Fig. 2 is an enlarged section on the line 2`--2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged section on the line 3-3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the electric deep-well cooker unit and showing diagrammatically the electric circuit including the switch and convenience outlets.

Fig. 5 is a perspective viewv similar to Fig. 1, but showing some of the control devices and the convenience outlets projecting through the backsplasher panel, and the remaining control devices projecting through the front panel.

As shown, the range is provided with a unitary top plate l coextensive with the entire area of the range, said plate having downwardly bent flanges la at the front and side edges thereof overlapping the front panel 1 and side walls 2. of the range,

said top plate having at its rear edge an upwardly ilanged backsplash portion Ib connected with the main portion of the top by a llet Ic formed on a substantially large radius. Preferably the underside of top plate l adjacent the side flanges la is provided with angle bars ld (Fig. 2) adapted to seat upon flanged strips 2a secured to the side walls 2, said members Id and 2a being connected together by bolts 3. The top plate l may be further reinforced by one or more angle bars le disposed intermediate the bars Id.

The range is also provided with the usual gas oven l covered by heat insulation 5, and heated by the usual gas burners or jets (not shown), said oven being accessible through a door 6 at the front of the range. Insulation 5 extends from one side wall 2 to a point adjacent the longitudinal center of the range, the top of the insulation 5 being disposed below the top plate I. Extending from the top of the insulation 5 is a plate 5a connected to the other side wall 2 of the range as shown in Fig. 2.

Extending across the front of the range below the flange la is a lixed panel 'l of depth sufiicient to close thegap between the top plate l and the top of the oven door 6, panel 1 supporting the various gas cocks for the range burners, the oven control; and if desired also supporting the electrie cooker switch, also the electric convenience outlets (Fig. l), although the electric cooker switch and electric convenience outlets may be mounted in or supported in the backsplasher panel Ib (Fig. 5).

In top plate l, above oven 4, is a relatively large rectangular opening I g extending substantially half the area of the top, said opening having a downwardly offset peripheral flange if extending around same adapted to support the grates 8 of the range which are disposed in the usual manner directly above the gas range burners (not shown), which burners are controlled by cocks 9 mounted on the front panel 1 opposite the burners in the usual manner; also the control valve Ill for the gas oven 4 is mounted on the panel 1, said valve I0 being disposed at the center of the series of gas cocks 9 so as to present a near symmetrical appearance.

In top plate I at the end opposite the opening lg is a relatively large round or circular opening Ik having a downwardly offset peripheral flange lh., said opening receiving the electric deep-Well cooker unit of the range, which unit is detachably inserted down through the opening Ik in the top provided for the same.

The electric cooker unit is preferably cylindric in shape, and consists of a removable pot I2 of cylindrical shape and preferably formed of aluminum, said pot having a bottom |2a and having at its upper end an exterior annular flange |217 provided with a downwardly extending flange I2c at its outer end, the diameter of annular flange I2C being such that it will make a neat fit upon the offset fiange Ih of the opening Ik. Pivoted handles |22: such as shown in Fig. 1 may be provided on flange |2b. Preferably a recessed annular shoulder |2d is provided between the ange' |217 and the wall I2, shoulder I2d'forming a seat for the cover of the electric cooker which is also preferably formed of aluminum and so designed that when same is seated in the recess it will be substantially ush with the annular iiange |2b. The wall I2 and bottom |2a. are imperforate and adapted to hold and retain liquids or the like.

I The well for the pot I2 consists of an inner cylindrical wall I3 of porcelain enameled steel or other metal having an outwardly extending peripheral vflange |3a at its upper end adapted to seat upon the flange Ih of opening Ik to support the well. bottom `|2a of pot I2 and is provided with an internal annular iiange |31) spaced from and paralleltherewith.

' Surrounding the wall I3 is an outer cylindrical Wall I4, of porcelain enameled steel or other f` metal, the upper end of which wall directly contacts the upper flange |3a of wall I3. Cylindrical WallV I4 extends below the bottom flange |31) of wall I3, and is closed by a removable circular plate |40. having an upstanding annular flange -|4b receiving the lower end of wall |4a. Bottom plate I4a is removably secured to the bottom ange I3b by bolts |411, which bolts likewise hold the upper end of wall I4 against flange I3a so that the membersA I3, I4 and |4a form a rigid f structure insertable and removable as a unit in the hole llc of the top plate I. The space between walls I3 and I4 is preferably lled with aluminum foil |49 or other heat insulating material. By the above construction the' aluminum Wall I3 extends down below the .3

pot I2 may readily be lifted out of the well |3|4 for washing or other purposes.

`Extendingthrough the lower end of wall I4 and into the space between the bottom portions |31)` and |40'I is a porcelain terminal block I5 having three electric contacts |5a,` |5b and |50, said block having openings opposite the contacts whereby conductor wires may be readily Aconnected with the respective contacts. In the space between the bottom plates |2a and |311 is a standard electric heater brick I6 preferably secured to the ange I3b by means of bolts the coil |633 of said heater brick having three terminals |6a.,'|6b and |6c connected by conductors I8a, |81) and IBC respectively to the terminals I5a, |51) and I5c respectivelyof terminal blockl I5, the conductors extending through the space between the vbottom plate Illa and flange |3b of the cooker unit. In thel bottom plate |4a are a series of holes |4c for the purpose of permitting air to circulate between the parts |4a and |3b for the purpose of ventilation.

' On the front panel I of the range disposed opposite the electric cooker is a switch 2|! (Fig. 1), having an operating dial 2| for controlling the circuit to the heater brick I5 of the cooker. Switch `has threecontacts 20a, 20h and 25e (Fig. 4)k connected by wires 22a, 22h and 22e respectively with the contacts |511', |5b and |50 of the terminal block I5, whereby rotation of dial 2| will control the power circuit to the-heater brick I6. On the panel 1 at opposite sides of the switch dial 2| are convenience outlets 23 and 24 (Figs. 1 and 4) adapted to receive contact plugs for various electric kitchen appliances. However, if desired, the electric cooker switch 2U and its associated parts, also the convenience outlets 23 and 24 may be mounted in or supported by the back-splasher panel Ib as shown in Fig. 5.

At the rear of panel 1 or panel Ib, is mounted a contact block 25 having pairs of spaced contacts 25a, 25h, 25e, 25d, and 25e, respectively. The contacts 25a-25e inclusive at each side of the contact block are connected in series by means of bus bars. The rst pair of contacts 25a are connected by wires 26 and 26a with a master plug 2'I which may be inserted in a customary base receptacle installed in the kitchen to furnish power to the heating brick I6 of the electric cooker. The contacts 25h of the block 25 'are respectively connected by wires 2'I, 2'Ia to the automatic timerlnot shown)Y for the heating brick I6 of the electric cooker. The contacts 25C of the block are respectively connected by wires 2B-28a to electric lights (not shown) with which parts of the range may be equipped. The contacts 25d of the block are respectively connected by wires 29 and. 29a tothe contacts of the convenience outlet `23; also connected by wires 3D and 30a to l.the contacts of the' other convenience outlet'24. The'contacts 25e are respectively connected by wires 3|, 3| a to input terminals 22x and 20g of the switch 20, and a conductor 32 connects the input terminal 20m of the switch with the third input terminal 20e of the switchj Preferably a fuse 33 is interposed in the conductor 26a leading from plug 2'I to the contacts 25a. v

The above arrangement provides a combination gas range and electric deep-Well cooker arranged as a unit wherein the top and backsplash Ib of the range are made 'in one piece, the top being punched with a large rectangular opening Ig at one side to accommodate the gas range burners, and punched with a round hole Ik at the other side to accommodate the deepwell cooker, which cooker is formed as a complete unit and detachably inserted through the hole in the top'v provided for the same. The electric switch controlling the deep-well cooker is mounted on the front panel, 'on which panel are also arranged the gas cocks 9 and gas oven control I0, Orthe electric switch controlling the deep-well cooker, and the convenience outlets, may be arranged on the backsplasher panel. By the above arrangement a combination standard gas range and electric budget cooker with convenience outlets is provided, and by this arrangement the manufacturer may afford his customers a gas'range in combination withthe most economical form of cooking with electricity all arranged as oneunit.

I claim: 1. In combinatiom4 a range having a unitary top plate and a unitary front panel; said top plate having'an opening adjacent one end; a grate covering said opening; gas burners disposed below said grate;said top plate Ahaving a second opening; an electric deep-Well cooker unit comprising a well having spacedl side and bottom walls, insulation between the side walls and a removable pot in saidwell having a cover, said unit being removably inserted down through said second opening and havingy an annular flange seated on said top plate; an electricl circuit for said cooker; and control devices for said gas burners and cooker circuit projecting through said panel; convenience outlets on said panel connected in said cooker circuit; a gas oven in said range, and a control valve therefor projecting through said panel.

2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, an electric heating element disposed in the bottom oi said well; and a terminal block at the lower end of the Well having contacts electrically connected vvith the said heating element and disposed in said electric circuit.

3. In combination, a range having a unitary top plate provided With a backsplasher panel, and a unitary front panel; said top plate having an opening adjacent one end; a grate covering said opening; gas burners disposed below said grate; said top plate having a second opening; an electric deep-well cookel1 unit comprising a Well having spaced side and bottom Walls, in-

sulation between the side walls, and a removable pot in said Well having a cover; said unit being removably inserted down through said second opening, and having an annular flange seated on said top plate; an electric circuit for said cooker; control devices for said gas burners and cooker circuit; said control devices projecting through one of said panels respectively; convenience outlets on one of said panels connected in said cooker circuit; a gas oven in said range; and a control valve for said oven pro jecting through one of said panels.

4. In a combination as set forth in claim 3, an electric heating element disposed in the bottom of said Well; and a terminal block at the lower end of the well having contacts electrically connected with the said heating elements and disposed in said electric circuit.

ROBERT T. FRAZIER. 

